What assessment he made of the effectiveness of the Major Projects Authority prior to January 2016.

What assessment he made of the effectiveness of the Major Projects Authority prior to January 2016.

The Major Projects Authority—now the Infrastructure and Projects Authority—was set up in 2011 to establish the Government’s major projects portfolio and ensure high-quality project assurance and support. Since 2012 it has produced an annual report summarising progress and delivery of major Government projects.

The Major Projects Authority—now the Infrastructure and Projects Authority—was set up in 2011 to establish the Government’s major projects portfolio and ensure high-quality project assurance and support. Since 2012 it has produced an annual report summarising progress and delivery of major Government projects.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office talks about the Government being the most open ever. Will the Minister without Portfolio sanction the Infrastructure and Projects Authority to release more information about which projects are green, amber or red so that taxpayers know what is going on?

The Minister for the Cabinet Office talks about the Government being the most open ever. Will the Minister without Portfolio sanction the Infrastructure and Projects Authority to release more information about which projects are green, amber or red so that taxpayers know what is going on?

The hon. Lady will know, because the Public Accounts Committee, which she chairs, recently questioned the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, that we do publish the information she mentioned. She should be excited by the new Infrastructure and Projects Authority, because it brings together the experience of the Treasury and the Cabinet Office, it saves taxpayers’ money, in the light of spending review priorities, and it brings under one roof support for major projects such as Crossrail and the Thames tideway tunnel, as well as major transformational projects such as universal credit.

The hon. Lady will know, because the Public Accounts Committee, which she chairs, recently questioned the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, that we do publish the information she mentioned. She should be excited by the new Infrastructure and Projects Authority, because it brings together the experience of the Treasury and the Cabinet Office, it saves taxpayers’ money, in the light of spending review priorities, and it brings under one roof support for major projects such as Crossrail and the Thames tideway tunnel, as well as major transformational projects such as universal credit.

Does the Minister think that it is a matter of regret that one can still become a permanent secretary without being directly associated with a major project?

Does the Minister think that it is a matter of regret that one can still become a permanent secretary without being directly associated with a major project?

As I have said, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority will make a huge difference, transform the way infrastructure projects are done in our country and save taxpayers’ money, and it will do a number of other things as well.

As I have said, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority will make a huge difference, transform the way infrastructure projects are done in our country and save taxpayers’ money, and it will do a number of other things as well.

My Rt Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made the following statement to the House of Commons:

This written ministerial statement confirms that Infrastructure UK will be merged with the Major Projects Authority to form a new organisation called the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. The new organisation will report jointly...

My Rt Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made the following statement to the House of Commons:

This written ministerial statement confirms that Infrastructure UK will be merged with the Major Projects Authority to form a new organisation called the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. The new organisation will report jointly...

This written ministerial statement confirms that Infrastructure UK will be merged with the Major Projects Authority to form a new organisation called the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. The new organisation will report jointly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister for the Cabinet Office, and will sit formally...

This written ministerial statement confirms that Infrastructure UK will be merged with the Major Projects Authority to form a new organisation called the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. The new organisation will report jointly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister for the Cabinet Office, and will sit formally...

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which projects have received an amber red classification as referred to in the latest annual report of the Major Projects Authority.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which projects have received an amber red classification as referred to in the latest annual report of the Major Projects Authority.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the decision by the Major Projects Authority to give the Future Reserves 2020 programme a red rating.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the decision by the Major Projects Authority to give the Future Reserves 2020 programme a red rating.

My hon. Friend will have heard my earlier answer.

Since the MPA report, governance has been shaken up, with each service delivering its own programme alongside a defence-level enabling structure. My hon. Friend will know from many earlier answers that our improvements in recruitment, selection and training processes are bearing fruit. We remain committed to delivering the FR20 requirement.

My hon. Friend will have heard my earlier answer.

Since the MPA report, governance has been shaken up, with each service delivering its own programme alongside a defence-level enabling structure. My hon. Friend will know from many earlier answers that our improvements in recruitment, selection and training processes are bearing fruit. We remain committed to delivering the FR20 requirement.

The Minister will nevertheless know that the MPA declares as red projects that it believes risk being unachievable. Given the delays, cost increases and capability gaps, and given reports that superannuated reservists and those who do not regularly attend parades are remaining on strength, at what point will the Government consider scrapping their plans and increasing the size of the regular Army?

The Minister will nevertheless know that the MPA declares as red projects that it believes risk being unachievable. Given the delays, cost increases and capability gaps, and given reports that superannuated reservists and those who do not regularly attend parades are remaining on strength, at what point will the Government consider scrapping their plans and increasing the size of the regular Army?

We recruited nearly 7,000 reservists across the three services last year. That was a rise of 65%, and the rise was even greater within the Army Reserve. As for my hon. Friend’s reference to superannuated reservists, I visited 3 Royal Welsh last weekend, and the average age of that battalion has dropped from 41 to 31 over the past three years.

We recruited nearly 7,000 reservists across the three services last year. That was a rise of 65%, and the rise was even greater within the Army Reserve. As for my hon. Friend’s reference to superannuated reservists, I visited 3 Royal Welsh last weekend, and the average age of that battalion has dropped from 41 to 31 over the past three years.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what reports have been produced on High Speed 2 by the Major Projects Authority; and what the (a) rating level and (b) date of publication has been of each such report.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what reports have been produced on High Speed 2 by the Major Projects Authority; and what the (a) rating level and (b) date of publication has been of each such report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects the Major Projects Authority to provide its next assessment of the universal credit project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects the Major Projects Authority to provide its next assessment of the universal credit project.